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Weather & Climate in Soweto, South Africa
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Soweto enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 71°F in January while summers reach 50°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 347 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 21.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 5,354 feet.
Temperature
71°F Jan (22°C)
50°F Jul (10°C)
| Annual Average | 62.7°F |
| 16% above US avg | |
| January Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| July Average | 50°F (10°C) |
| Sunny Days | 347 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,354 ft (1,632 m) |
| Area | 77.2 sq mi (200.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 21,951/sq mi |
| Coordinates | -26.2678°N, 27.8585°W |
| Timezone | Africa/Johannesburg |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
962 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.4.
| Aug 5, 2014 | 3 km ESE of Orkney, South Africa | M5.4 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Apr 3, 2017 | 7 km SSE of Stilfontein, South Africa | M5.2 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Feb 10, 1997 | 5 km SSE of Orkney, South Africa | M5.2 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Nov 3, 1991 | 5 km SE of Klerksdorp, South Africa | M5.1 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Dec 1, 1991 | 2 km S of Klerksdorp, South Africa | M5.0 | 137 km | 10 km |
| Jul 21, 1997 | 4 km W of Klerksdorp, South Africa | M5.0 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Mar 16, 2009 | 8 km ENE of Orkney, South Africa | M5.0 | 134 km | 2 km |
| Jun 14, 2010 | 8 km NNW of Fochville, South Africa | M5.0 | 42 km | 2 km |
| May 27, 2002 | 4 km ENE of Orkney, South Africa | M5.0 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Mar 9, 2005 | 7 km SSE of Stilfontein, South Africa | M5.0 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Jun 11, 2023 | Gauteng, South Africa | M4.9 | 31 km | 5 km |
| Dec 5, 1998 | 9 km NNE of Fochville, South Africa | M4.9 | 37 km | 10 km |
| Sep 6, 2004 | 17 km WNW of Klerksdorp, South Africa | M4.9 | 145 km | 10 km |
| Nov 25, 1995 | South Africa | M4.9 | 135 km | 13 km |
| Jul 31, 2001 | 8 km SW of Klerksdorp, South Africa | M4.9 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Feb 17, 2005 | 13 km WSW of Klerksdorp, South Africa | M4.9 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Mar 7, 1992 | 14 km W of Fochville, South Africa | M4.9 | 57 km | 10 km |
| Dec 11, 1997 | 7 km SSW of Klerksdorp, South Africa | M4.9 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Aug 6, 2000 | 8 km SSW of Westonaria, South Africa | M4.9 | 29 km | 5 km |
| Jun 15, 2014 | 8 km E of Orkney, South Africa | M4.9 | 135 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 71°F (22°C) | 5.0 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| February | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 65°F (19°C) | 3.5 in | |
| April | 60°F (15°C) | 1.9 in | |
| May | 53°F (12°C) | 0.6 in | |
| June | 48°F (9°C) | 0.2 in | Coldest |
| July | 50°F (10°C) | 0.2 in | Driest |
| August | 53°F (12°C) | 0.3 in | |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 1.1 in | |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 2.8 in | |
| November | 66°F (19°C) | 4.0 in | |
| December | 68°F (20°C) | 4.5 in |
Soweto has a seasonal temperature swing of 23°F / from 48°F in June to 71°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 27.6 inches, with January being the wettest month (5.0") and July the driest (0.2").